Una Merkel was an American actress who appeared in over 200 films during the silent and early sound eras. She was known for her comedic roles, often playing a scatterbrained character. Merkel began her career in vaudeville and made her film debut in 1914. She went on to appear in many popular films such as The Kid (1921), The Gold Rush (1925), and The General (1926). Merkel also had a successful career on Broadway, appearing in several plays throughout the 1920s and 1930s. She retired from acting in the 1940s and died in 1986.